Publications (44)285.12 Total impact
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Article: Immunoglobulin therapy and thrombosis: coincidence or causation?
Transfusion 10/2012; 52(10):2075-7. · 3.22 Impact Factor -
Article: Human genome-wide association and mouse knockout approaches identify platelet supervillin as an inhibitor of thrombus formation under shear stress.
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ABSTRACT: High shear force critically regulates platelet adhesion and thrombus formation during ischemic vascular events. To identify genetic factors that influence platelet thrombus formation under high shear stress, we performed a genome-wide association study and confirmatory experiments in human and animal platelets. Closure times in the shear-dependent platelet function analyzer (PFA)-100 were measured on healthy, nondiabetic European Americans (n=125) and blacks (n=116). A genome-wide association (P<5×10(-8)) was identified with 2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the SVIL gene (chromosome 10p11.23) in African Americans but not European Americans. Microarray analyses of human platelet RNA demonstrated the presence of SVIL isoform 1 (supervillin) but not muscle-specific isoforms 2 and 3 (archvillin, SmAV). SVIL mRNA levels were associated with SVIL genotypes (P≤0.02) and were inversely correlated with PFA-100 closure times (P<0.04) and platelet volume (P<0.02). Leukocyte-depleted platelets contained abundant levels of the ≈205-kDa supervillin polypeptide. To assess functionality, mice lacking platelet supervillin were generated and back-crossed onto a C57BL/6 background. Compared with controls, murine platelets lacking supervillin were larger by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy and exhibited enhanced platelet thrombus formation under high-shear but not low-shear conditions. We show for the first time that (1) platelets contain supervillin; (2) platelet thrombus formation in the PFA-100 is associated with human SVIL variants and low SVIL expression; and (3) murine platelets lacking supervillin exhibit enhanced platelet thrombus formation at high shear stress. These data are consistent with an inhibitory role for supervillin in platelet adhesion and arterial thrombosis.Circulation 05/2012; 125(22):2762-71. · 14.74 Impact Factor -
Article: Platelet biology and response to antiplatelet therapy in women: implications for the development and use of antiplatelet pharmacotherapies for cardiovascular disease.
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ABSTRACT: Women are underrepresented in cardiovascular studies, even as their preponderance in the aging population steadily increases. Although concerns have been raised about the differential benefit of antiplatelet medications for women, the propensity for increased bleeding among women has also been recognized. A better understanding of the factors contributing to the observed sex-related differences in platelet biology is warranted. These factors include differences in the frequency and expression of genetic polymorphisms affecting platelet responsiveness to agonists (with and without antiplatelet therapies), which might be obtained through population-based studies and in large controlled clinical trials; inflammatory marker levels and their influence on atherothrombotic risk, and the role of specific hormones in mediating platelet activation and function. Knowledge gained about these mechanistic factors might inform the development of sex-specific antithrombotic treatment regimens that confer optimized safety and efficacy.Journal of the American College of Cardiology 03/2012; 59(10):891-900. · 14.16 Impact Factor -
Article: Small RNAs as Potential Platelet Therapeutics.
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ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 21-23 nucleotide RNAs that regulate more than 60% of mammalian protein coding genes. miRNAs play critical roles in hematopoiesis and megakaryocyte function and development. Platelets, in addition to possessing functional miRNA processing machinery, have miRNA levels that have been correlated with platelet reactivity, and these miRNAs have been shown to target mRNAs that encode proteins that alter platelet function. There are potential uses of platelet miRNA as biomarkers and therapeutic agents. Due to the ability of platelets to release miRNA-containing microparticles at sites of activation, including angiogenic regions, tumors, and atherosclerotic plaques, there is the possibility of engineering platelets to deliver miRNA-based therapies to these sites. Cellpreferential expression of miRNAs could be exploited to restrict transgene expression in hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy to the desired lineage, including megakaryocytes and platelets. Finally, manipulation of gene expression in stored platelets may allow more effective platelet storage. Although much work remains to be done, there is great potential in miRNA-based platelet therapies.Handbook of experimental pharmacology 01/2012; -
Article: Transfection of human platelets with short interfering RNA.
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ABSTRACT: Platelets contain mRNAs and are capable of translating mRNA into protein, and it has been previously demonstrated that platelets increase their levels of integrin β3 overtime while in blood bank storage conditions. We are unaware of prior attempts to introduce nucleic acids into platelets. Considering the potential clinical and research utility of manipulating platelet gene expression, we tested whether small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) could be transfected into normal human platelets. Multiple conditions were tested, including lipofectamine versus electroporation, different amounts of siRNA, the effect of different buffers and the presence of plasma during transfection, and the time for optimal siRNA incorporation after transfection. Using flow cytometry to assess transfection efficiency, we found that optimal transfection was obtained using lipofectamine, washed platelets, and 400 pmoles siRNA. Cell sorting of transfected platelets suggested that the incorporated siRNA was able to knockdown the level of a targeted mRNA. This is the first ever demonstration that nucleic acids can be introduced directly into platelets, and offers proof of concept for manipulating gene expression in platelets by nonviral methods. Future technical improvements may permit improving the quality and/or lifespan of stored human platelets.Clinical and Translational Science 06/2011; 4(3):180-2. · 1.13 Impact Factor -
Article: MicroRNAs in platelet production and activation.
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ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules that modulate protein expression by degrading mRNA or repressing translation. They have been shown to play important roles in hematopoiesis, including embryonic stem cell differentiation, erythropoiesis, granulocytopoiesis/monocytopoiesis, lymphopoiesis, and megakaryocytopoiesis. miR-150 and miR-155 play divergent roles in megakaryocytopoiesis, with the former promoting development of megakaryocytes at the expense of erythrocytes and the latter causing a reduction in megakaryocyte colony formation. Platelets also contain fully functional miRNA machinery, and certain miRNA levels in platelets have been found to coordinate with reactivity to specific agonists and to pathologic states. This review will cover the current state of knowledge of miRNAs in megakaryocytes and platelets and the exciting possibilities for future research.Blood 03/2011; 117(20):5289-96. · 9.90 Impact Factor -
Article: Platelet microRNA-mRNA coexpression profiles correlate with platelet reactivity.
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ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate cell physiology by altering protein expression, but the biology of platelet miRNAs is largely unexplored. We tested whether platelet miRNA levels were associated with platelet reactivity by genome-wide profiling using platelet RNA from 19 healthy subjects. We found that human platelets express 284 miRNAs. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of miRNA profiles resulted in 2 groups of subjects that appeared to cluster by platelet aggregation phenotypes. Seventy-four miRNAs were differentially expressed (DE) between subjects grouped according to platelet aggregation to epinephrine, a subset of which predicted the platelet reactivity response. Using whole genome mRNA expression data on these same subjects, we computationally generated a high-priority list of miRNA-mRNA pairs in which the DE platelet miRNAs had binding sites in 3'-untranslated regions of DE mRNAs, and the levels were negatively correlated. Three miRNA-mRNA pairs (miR-200b:PRKAR2B, miR-495:KLHL5, and miR-107:CLOCK) were selected from this list, and all 3 miRNAs knocked down protein expression from the target mRNA. Reduced activation from platelets lacking PRKAR2B supported these findings. In summary, (1) platelet miRNAs are able to repress expression of platelet proteins, (2) miRNA profiles are associated with and may predict platelet reactivity, and (3) bioinformatic approaches can successfully identify functional miRNAs in platelets.Blood 03/2011; 117(19):5189-97. · 9.90 Impact Factor -
Article: The 9p21.3 locus: platelets enter the fray.
Circulation Cardiovascular Genetics 10/2010; 3(5):393-5. · 6.11 Impact Factor -
Article: Advancing the research mission in an academic department: the creation of a center for translational medicine.
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ABSTRACT: Multidisciplinary research centers have multiplied in academic medical centers over the past decade and several recent reports have described their structure, strengths and limitations, and the difficulties that they may face. However, little attention has been paid to the role of a multidisciplinary center in the context of a single academic department. In 2003, the Department of Medicine at Jefferson Medical College launched the Center for Translational Medicine in order to facilitate multidisciplinary research, optimally utilize space and resources, enhance the educational experience for trainees, link basic investigation with clinical research programs, and develop a program of research excellence. Herein, we describe the structure of the Center and provide evidence of its success. The development of the Center has resulted in increased total funding, an increased number of students and residents pursuing translational research, a more effective utilization of space, the development of multidisciplinary research projects, and a significant increase in the number of individual and programmatic federally funded grants. Though the creation of the Center was not without challenges, the overall benefits for the department and the university have been substantial. The concept of a translational medicine center may be useful for many departments of academic medical centers.Clinical and Translational Science 08/2010; 3(4):178-81. · 1.13 Impact Factor -
Article: Platelet RNA chips dip into thrombocytosis.
Blood 01/2010; 115(1):2-3. · 9.90 Impact Factor -
Chapter: Pharmacogenomics of Platelet Inhibitors
01/2010: pages 49-66; -
Article: Platelet genomics beats the catch-22.
Blood 09/2009; 114(7):1286-7. · 9.90 Impact Factor -
Article: Differences in responses of platelets to fluid shear stress in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease (CAD).
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ABSTRACT: Information on differences in platelet function between patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited. We sought to examine the differences in the platelets response to shear stress in patients with PAD compared to those with CAD. Men with symptomatic PAD (ankle brachial index [ABI] < 0.9; n = 29) were compared with similarly aged men with CAD (post coronary artery bypass grafting; n = 40) but without PAD. All participants were on aspirin, and none were on clopidogrel. We measured changes in shear-induced platelet aggregation (SIPA) and shear-induced P-selectin expression (SIPE) under fluid shear rates of 5000 and 10,000 s(-1)which are typically found in arterioles and stenosed arteries, respectively. Aggregation was also induced by a combined stimulation of collagen, fluid shear stress, and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or epinephrine using a platelet function analyzer (PFA-100) as well as optical aggregometry (arachidonic acid, collagen and epinephrine). Analyses of covariance adjusted for age, aspirin dose, and statin use were used to estimate differences between the groups. Values of SIPA at fluid shear rates of 5000 and 10,000 s(-1) were significantly higher in the PAD group, while there were no differences between the PAD and CAD groups in SIPE at both fluid shear rates. However, baseline shear-induced P-selectin expression was higher in patients with PAD than CAD (mean fluorescence intensity [MFI] = 2.93 +/- 1.37 vs.1.94 +/- 0.67; p = 0.01), while the percentage increases in SIPA and SIPE at fluid shear rates of 5000 and 10,000 s(-1) were significantly higher in patients with CAD when compared to PAD (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Although there were several similarities in platelet function between men with PAD and men with CAD, significant differences in platelet responses to shear stress were observed in men with PAD when compared to those with CAD. Although the mechanism for these observed differences are not clear, we hypothesize that in vivo platelet activation in PAD patients may contribute to the differences and will need to be further investigated.Platelets 05/2009; 20(3):199-205. · 1.85 Impact Factor -
Article: Glutathione regulates integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3)-mediated cell adhesion under flow conditions.
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ABSTRACT: The platelet integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) mediates the final step of platelet aggregation that requires pre-activation through an inside-out signal initiated by agonists. Experiments conducted under static conditions using platelet-rich plasma show that platelet activation and adhesion activity of alpha(IIb)beta(3) are regulated by glutathione (GSH-GSSG) redox potential. However, it remains unclear as to whether GSH-GSSG exerts its regulatory role in platelets by direct targeting of alpha(IIb)beta(3) or intracellular signals that activate the integrin. A role of fluid shear stress is also not known. We examined the effects of GSH-GSSG on the adhesion of CHO cells expressing two HPA variants of human alpha(IIb)beta(3) to the immobilized fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor (VWF) under flow conditions. GSH-GSSG dose-dependently reduced the number of adherent cells to fibrinogen and VWF under 2.5 dyn/cm(2) of shear stress, a physical force calculated to be 110 dyne on platelets. GSH treatment also abolished the hyper-adhesion activity of cells expressing the Pro33 variant of alpha(IIb)beta(3). The inhibition was also observed with washed platelets. The data differ from the early observation that GSH enhanced platelet aggregation induced by sub-threshold concentrations of platelet agonists. The results suggest that GSH may have distinct effects on agonist-induced alpha(IIb)beta(3) activation and on the alpha(IIb)beta(3)-fibrinogen or alpha(IIb)beta(3)-VWF bonds when exposed to fluid shear stress. They further suggest that the HPA phenotype may be redox-regulated.Thrombosis and Haemostasis 12/2008; 100(5):857-63. · 5.04 Impact Factor -
Article: R93W mutation in Orai1 causes impaired calcium influx in platelets.
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ABSTRACT: The intracellular Ca(2+) concentration of many nonexcitable cells is regulated by calcium store release and store-operated calcium entry (SOCE). In platelets, STIM1 was recently identified as the main calcium sensor expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum. To evaluate the role of the SOC channel moiety, Orai1, in platelet SOCE, we generated mice expressing a mutated, inactive form of Orai1 in blood cells only (Orai1(R93W)). Platelets expressing Orai1(R93W) were characterized by markedly reduced SOCE and impaired agonist-induced increases in [Ca(2+)](i). Orai1(R93W) platelets showed reduced integrin activation and impaired degranulation when stimulated with low agonist concentrations under static conditions. This defect, however, did not significantly affect the ability of Orai1(R93W) platelets to aggregate or to adhere to collagen under arterial flow conditions ex vivo. In contrast, these adherent Orai1(R93W) platelets were defective in surface phosphatidylserine exposure, suggesting that Orai1 is crucial for the platelets' procoagulant response rather than for other Ca(2+)-dependent cellular responses.Blood 11/2008; 113(3):675-8. · 9.90 Impact Factor -
Article: Platelets: developmental biology, physiology, and translatable platforms for preclinical investigation and drug development.
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ABSTRACT: This paper, developed from the proceedings of the 2007 Platelet Colloquium, considers emerging constructs in platelet biology, preclinical models of thrombosis, and their potential application to the development of platelet-directed pharmacotherapies. Discussed first is the developmental biology of platelets, including megakaryocyte maturation, and the role of apoptotic and growth factors and other proteins in thrombopoiesis. A brief overview of current methods and observations from platelet proteomic analyses is also presented, illustrating the complex interplay of genes, gene expression, protein expression, and protein modification in various atherothrombotic phenotypes. The factor Xa-platelet interface is used as a working model for discussion of anticoagulants as platelet antagonists, highlighting the importance of receptor expression, substrate binding kinetics, platelet subpopulations, and cofactors in thrombosis. Finally, we discuss the use of emerging technologies--such as intravital microscopy and ex vivo perfusion chambers--as translatable platforms for investigating the role of platelets and their pharmacologic inhibition in human health and disease.Platelets 07/2008; 19(4):239-51. · 1.85 Impact Factor -
Article: Usefulness of baseline lipids and C-reactive protein in women receiving menopausal hormone therapy as predictors of treatment-related coronary events.
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ABSTRACT: Blood lipids and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are altered by hormone therapy. The goal of the present study was to determine whether lipids and hs-CRP have predictive value for hormone therapy benefit or risk for coronary heart disease events in postmenopausal women without previous cardiovascular disease. A nested case-control study was performed in the Women's Health Initiative hormone trials. Baseline lipids and hs-CRP were obtained from 271 incident patients with coronary heart disease (cases) and 707 controls. In a combined trial analysis, favorable lipid status at baseline tended to predict better coronary heart disease outcomes when using conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) with or without medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Women with a low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio <2.5 had no increase in risk of coronary heart disease when using CEE with or without MPA (odds ratio 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.34 to 1.06), whereas women with an LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio > or =2.5 had increased risk of coronary heart disease (odds ratio 1.73, 95% confidence interval 1.18 to 2.53, p for interaction = 0.02). Low hs-CRP added marginally to the value of LDL/HDL ratio <2.5 when predicting coronary heart disease benefit on hormone therapy. In conclusion, postmenopausal women with undesirable lipid levels had excess coronary heart disease risk when using CEE with or without MPA. However, women with favorable lipid levels, especially LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio <2.5, did not have increased risk of coronary heart disease with CEE with or without MPA irrespective of hs-CRP.The American Journal of Cardiology 06/2008; 101(11):1599-1605. · 3.37 Impact Factor -
Article: Transdermal 17-beta estradiol replacement therapy reduces megakaryocyte GPVI expression.
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ABSTRACT: The platelet-collagen interaction is a critical early event in arterial thrombus formation, and platelet GPVI is the major activating receptor for collagen. We have previously used a mouse model to demonstrate that the estrogen effects on platelets depend upon the agonist, estrogen formulation and route of administration. In the current study we used a model of transdermal estradiol (E2) administration to ovariectomized mice to address the potential inhibitory effects of E2 on platelet GPVI. Platelet GPVI expression was reduced after transdermal E2 replacement therapy (p <or= 0.001) but no evidence of GPVI shedding was found when platelets were directly incubated with E2. In addition, significantly reduced GPVI-mediated fibrinogen binding and aggregation were observed in platelets from mice subjected to 9 days or longer of in vivo E2 treatment, but not in platelets from mice treated for 3 days or shorter, suggesting an indirect pathway. Studies with mouse bone marrow revealed that E2 replacement in ovariectomized mice reduces megakaryocyte GPVI expression. This data suggest that transdermal E2 is able to affect centrally on megakaryocyte GPVI to regulate platelet GPVI and function.Thrombosis Research 05/2008; 123(1):93-9. · 2.44 Impact Factor -
Article: Platelet hyperreactivity: predictive and intrinsic properties.
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ABSTRACT: Platelet thrombi are central to the development of most vascular ischemic events. There is marked interindividual variation in platelet responsiveness, with some subjects displaying platelet hyperreactivity. An increasing number of reports indicate that there are laboratory measures of platelet function that predict clinical thrombotic events. Some, but not all, measures of platelet function are reproducible. Platelet hyperreactivity can be assessed with multiple stimuli in multiple assays and is more likely to be present in women and in subjects who have elevated fibrinogen levels.Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America 09/2007; 21(4):633-45, v-vi. · 2.64 Impact Factor -
Article: Effect of genetic variations in platelet glycoproteins Ibalpha and VI on the risk for coronary heart disease events in postmenopausal women taking hormone therapy.
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ABSTRACT: Millions of women still use postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT). We genotyped 2090 women in Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study for functional polymorphisms in GP1BA and GP6 and assessed the coronary heart disease (CHD) event rate over 5.8 years of follow-up. In patients receiving placebo, there was an increased CHD death/myocardial infarction (MI)/unstable angina (UA) event rate in carriers of the GP1BA -5C allele (adjusted [adj] P = .006). HT increased the hazard ratio (HR) of CHD events in patients with the GP1BA -5TT genotype by 16% and reduced the HR in patients with the TC+CC genotypes by 46% (adj interaction P < .001). HT reduced the HR in patients with the GP6 13254TT genotype by 17% but increased the HR in patients with the TC+CC genotypes by 35% (adj interaction P < .001). Furthermore, HT increased the HR of CHD events in patients with the GP1BA -5TT plus GP6 13254TC+CC genotypes by 57% and reduced the HR in patients with the GP1BA -5TC+CC plus GP6 13254TT genotypes by 55% (adj interaction P < .001). In postmenopausal women with established CHD, these polymorphisms of platelet genes were predictors of CHD events and significantly modified the effects of HT on CHD risk. It will be important to replicate these findings in other studies.Blood 03/2007; 109(5):1862-9. · 9.90 Impact Factor
Top Journals
Institutions
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2008–2012
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Thomas Jefferson University
- Division of Hospital Medicine
Philadelphia, PA, USA
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2003–2009
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Baylor College of Medicine
- • Section of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Medicine
- • Section of Cardiology
- • Thrombosis Research Section
- • Department of Medicine
Houston, TX, USA
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2007–2008
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Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO, USA
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